Josh Perez and Dino Perez aren’t related, but the Delaware Basin colleagues are connected by something deeper than a shared surname: a strong sense of duty to their work, their team and their country.
Such shared values often create something deeper than camaraderie. They build trust, accountability and the confidence that no one has to carry the load alone.
For instance, when Josh recently learned he would be leaving for an extended Army National Guard deployment on 10 days' notice, his thoughts immediately turned to the people he worked alongside every day and how his absence might affect them.
As it turned out, he didn't need to worry. His supervisor, Dino, a production foreman, had his back.
“He was helpful, supportive and understanding,” Josh recalled. “He went above and beyond to support my military career. His attitude was basically, ‘You do what you have to do — we’ll roll with the punches.’ That made it a lot easier to focus on what I needed to do.”
That kind of support is exactly what Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) recognizes with its Patriot Award, which honors supervisors who make it possible for Guard and Reserve employees to serve with confidence.
A Patriot Award surprise in Artesia
At a ceremony last year at the ConocoPhillips office in Artesia, New Mexico, ESGR representatives presented the Patriot Award to Dino, nominated by Josh for his steady support.
Josh first learned about the award during annual ESGR briefings with his unit. After several years of working with Dino, Josh knew exactly whom he wanted to recognize.
For Dino, the call from Josh came as a surprise.
“He told me there was this program with the National Guard and that he’d been putting me in for an award for a number of years,” Dino said. “I didn’t even know it existed.”
At the Artesia gathering, Dino joined ESGR presenters, local veterans and colleagues as Josh walked in wearing his Guard uniform to help present the award.
“Seeing him come in, looking every bit the soldier, was pretty neat,” Dino said. “It was an honor.”
Company‑wide teamwork behind Guard and Reserve deployments
Both men are quick to point out that the support behind Josh’s service extends well beyond one supervisor.
When Josh goes on orders — whether for weekend drills or months-long missions — teams in human resources, payroll, accounting and scheduling step in to coordinate details and keep things running smoothly.
“They sort things out in the background so I can focus on doing my job," Josh said, "whether that’s in the field or with the Guard.”
Josh’s Army National Guard unit works on missions that make a tangible impact across New Mexico and beyond, from counter-drug operations to search and rescue alongside state and federal agencies.
The attention to detail, communication and personal accountability he relies on in the Guard carry over to his work in the oilfield, where spotting small issues early can prevent bigger problems later.
Because they stand watch
Dino, who comes from a family with deep roots in both the oilfield and the military, sees supporting colleagues like Josh as part of a broader responsibility.
“We owe these folks,” he said. “If it wasn’t for them, we wouldn’t have the freedoms we have or the lives we live. Knowing people like Josh are out there watching out for us lets me sit back and know my kids and grandkids are going to be OK.”
Get to know Dino and Josh